Smarter Crime Control

Reviews / Votes

Waller does a good job distinguishing between crime control and prevention, and he does a GREAT job of laying out an agenda for action. -- John L. Worrall, professor of criminology, University of Texas at Dallas The U.S. has the most expensive criminal justice system in the world, imprisons more people than other nations, and yet continues to have the highest rates of violent crimes. Why haven't all the money and prisons made a difference in the rates of murders and drug offenses? Canadian scholar and crime consultant Waller examines the ample research on policing, the courts, and the correctional system for strategies that can actually reduce and prevent crime and unwind the policies that have racialized crime and punishment in the U.S. Beyond the troubling crime statistics, Waller explores initiatives to reduce a range of crime, from violence against women to gun violence to traffic fatalities. Focusing on efforts to reduce the likelihood of youth getting involved in crime, Waller argues that early childhood programs, family therapy, life skills training, conflict-resolution mentoring, and other efforts are more effective and cost efficient than current tactics. This is a well-researched and effective guide for parents, educators, police, legislators, and others, with solid strategies for taking action to reduce crime and its cost to society. * Booklist * Packed with compelling statistics and striking depth of analysis, Smarter Crime Control urges the United States, which locks up 25% of the world's prisoners, to serve as the leader in community safety. If heeded by policy makers on the local, state and national levels, lives will be saved, trauma reduced, violence-plagued communities restored and money saved. -- John A. Calhoun, Speaker, past President of the National Crime Prevention Council and Senior Consultant to the U.S. Department of Justice and to the National League of Cities Irvin Waller is one of the few criminologists who use academic research to underpin the development of crime reduction policies at national and local government levels. The polices that Professor Waller advocates are designed to reduce victimization, re-offending and the use of prison and thus save tax payers' money. Add in Professor's Waller life-long personal commitment and passion to the cause of transforming justice and the ways we tackle crime and disorder, Smarter Crime Control is essential reading for national and local politicians, opinion formers as well for all working to reduce crime and create safer communities. We have much to learn from Irvin Waller's wise words. -- Nigel Whiskin, M.B.E., Director of Business Development, Restorative Solutions and formerly Chief Executive of Crime Concern, UK. Chairman?s Life Awardee, British Security Industry Association Professor Waller captures the imagination in this timely book. It focuses on what policy makers can do to make us safe - an achievable goal basic to victims of crime. It develops actionable proposals from a wealth of hard data and science. It is highly recommended for the general public and should be mandatory reading for our politicians as well as students and practitioners in criminal justice. -- Marlene Young, Winner of the Presidential Award for Service to Victims of Crime and Co-Founder of Justice Solutions, National Center for Victims of Crime and the National Victim Assistance Academy There are too many victims of violence because of too many repressive policies that too often have failed. At last, this book?s careful analysis provides us all with multiple actions that will prevent violence and so protect our cities, especially young people and women. It shows how our leaders can reinvest our taxes from ineffective repression to effective prevention without additional cost. It is the indispensable guide to a new way of doing business - stopping violence before it happens - the most important right for crime victims. What could be more timely. -- Claudio Stampalija, professor, Faculty of Law and Founding Director of the Centro de Estudios para la Prevencion del Delito (CEPREDE), University of Belgrano, Buenos Aires; adviser on Criminal Justice to the House of Representatives of Argentina; commentator in the media on crime and justice issues... For the first time, a readable book brings together a compelling analysis of the cost-effectiveness of ways to tackle the risk factors that lead to crime. Smarter Crime Control makes it inescapable that policing and prevention for the 21st century must be balanced and aligned towards the desired outcomes that are based in evidence. This book shows that community safety is much bigger than policing and will need the collaboration of many to have the best possible impact. Taking lessons from business, the new community safety must focus on consistent results, respecting our values and avoiding waste. This is mandatory reading for all that have a role in reducing victimization and keeping communities safe. -- Dale McFee, Deputy Minister of Corrections and Policing, Government of Saskatchewan, Canada and Immediate Past President, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police